Flatware case



April 16, 1957 E. B. BANNER 2,788,828

FLATWARE CASE Filed June 26, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 p 6, 1957 E. B. BANNER 2,788,828

FLATWARE CASE Filed June 26, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l2 NVENTOR. [ow/N 5. fill/WW5? Arm uEx case.

Unit d S Patent Q Q assignments, to Reeve. & Mitchell Mfg.- o-., inc New York, N; Y., a corporation of New- York Application June 26, 1953, Serial No. 364,245 8 Claims. (Ci. Isa-52 the present invention com rises a flatware ease for all types of flatware and relates more particularly to a flatware case for silver flatware, such as sterling silver or patted flatware, readily subject-to tarnishing wherein multiple place-settings may be conveniently stored and retain'ed when not in use. 7

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a flatware case for domestic use in which a plurality of place-settings may be stored and encased.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flatware case which will permit convenient and ready access to its contents.

A further object of the present invention is to Provide a flatware case in which the contents thereof can be maintained' in a tarnish-free condition, and in which scratching and abrasion of the flatware contents are avoided.

With the above objects in view,- together with other objects which will appear more fully from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, the present invention contemplates a flatware case having a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material, front and rear walls, preferably of form-retaining material extending upward from the base, and side Walls extending upward from the base intermediate said front and rear walls. Positioned within the case are a plurality of flatware-retaining partitions, each of said partitions having a Width dimension somewhat less than the internal width of the ease and being individually-movable within the Bach partition comprises a separator of formretaining material and is provided with flatware-retaining elements such as pockets or loops, the flatware-retaining elements being fashioned from fabric positioned on the front face of the separator. A preferred fabric for this purpose, particularly where the flatware is subject to tarnishing,'is tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth. The case is provided with a case-closing cover extending from the rear wall over the tops of the flatwareretaining partitions and engaging with the front wall'of the case. The number of flatware-retaining partitions Within the case should be such that when the partitions are operatively positioned within the case with flatware retained thereon, the partitions are in a generally vertical position when the case 'is'cl'osed. Preferably, each partition should be provided with a labeling area on its upper portion bearing printed matter indicative of the flatware to be retained, on said i partition and the respective heights of the partitions should H be such that when the partitions are operatively positioned in progressively increasing size within the case the labelin'g area on each partition is visible when the caseis open.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof. which are atpresent preferred, although it is to beunderstood that thevarious instrumentalities of which the. invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the; invention is not limited, to the precise arrangements and organizations; of the instrum'entalities herein shown and described.

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Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a flatware case, embodying the present invention, in closed position.

Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the flatware case of Figure 1 in open position.

Figure 3 is a side cross sectional view of the flatware case of Figure -1 showing the flatwareretaining partitions carying flatware (the flatware being shown in'pe'r'spe'ctivey Figure 4 is a plan cross-sectional View of the flatware case of Figure l, the flatware not being shown in section but in perspective view as seen from above.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspecfive view of a flat-wareretaining partition carrying flatware. I

Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the forward face of another embodiment of the flatware-retaining partition of the present invention carrying flatware.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective View of theembodiment of the flatware-retaining partition of the present invention shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Figure 7.

As seen in Figures 1 through 5 the flatware case of the present invention comprises a box or case 1%, prepared from form-retaining material, such as cardboard, paperboard or the like having its external surface covered with a fabric or covering such as colored cloth or paper, or having its external surface painted or dyed. Case 13 has a generally rectangular base 12 having a relatively wide front wall 14 extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. As seen in Figures 2 and 4, front wall 14 is of generally co-extensive width as base 12 and is integral with base 12. Extending generally perpendicularly from the rear of base 12 is rear Wall 16 which is likewise coextensive with and integral with base 12. Of course, if desired, front wall 14 or rear wall 16 can be fabricated of separate pieces, and be non-integral with base 12.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, rear wall 16 is substantially higher than front wal 14 and is provided with an integral cover or flap 18 extending therefrom. Front wall 14 and rear wall 16 are joined by side Walls 26 and 22 which likewise extend generally perpendicularly upward from base 12. Side walls 20 and 22 may be of form-retaining material, as in the instant embodiment or may be of cloth or other flexible materiaL. In the latter case, the cloth may be gusseted, permitting front wall 14 to be pivoted frontwardly from its perpendicular position (front wall 14 being perpendicularly-positioned when the case is closed). While side walls 20 and 22 may be integral with base 12 and coextensive with the edges thereof, it is preferable for the reasons indicated below to position side 'walls 2% and 22 somewhat within the marginal edges of base 12 as shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The upper edge of each of side walls 20 and 22 is curved to form a pleasing design, with the lower edge abutting front wall 14 and the uppermost edge abutting rear wall 16. The cover 18 extends downwardly from the rear Wall 16 over the upper edge of each of side walls 20 and 22 and overlaps the upper portion of front wall 14. By having side Walls 20 and 22- positioned somewhat within the margins of base 12, as heretofore indicated, the cover 18 also overlaps the upper edge of side walls 29 and 22 yielding a better seal. A locking member 24 is provided on the upper portion of front wall 14 and is aligned and adapted to engage with a slot or recess in a corresponding clasp member 26 on cover 18 to permit the cover to be locked in position as shown in Figure l.

Positioned within flatwarecase 14) are flatware-retainirig partitions 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 formed of formretain'ing material such as cardboard or the like. As seen in Figure 4, the partitions are slightly narrower than the internal width of flatwarecase 10, having a relatively small clearance between their peripheral edges and the inner surfaces of side walls 28 and 22, and are of pleasing design with their upper corners rounded. Each of flatware-retaining partitions 28, 3t), 32, 34 and 36 comprise a form-retaining separator orwall of flexible cardboard or the like, namely, respective separators 38, 40, 41, 42 and 44 encased in a flatware-retaining fabric covering.

Thus, in the case of flatware-retaining partitions 28, separator 38 is completely enclosed'within front fabric 37 and rear fabric 39 which are merrow-stitchecl together along their edges. A separate fabric 35 is sewn on the front face of flatware-retaining partition 28 over front fabric 37 and; extends upward for a major portion of the height of flatware-retaining partition 28. The bottom and side edges of separate fabric 35 are joined with the merrow-stitching of the bottom and side edges of front and rear fabrics 37 and 39 and the upper edge of the separate fabric 35 is merrow-stitched at 46. The separate fabric 35 is divided into a series of six flatware-retaining elements or compartments or pockets 48 by means of vertical stitches 50.

In the case of flatware-retaining partition 30, which is similar to partition 28 but somewhat larger, separator 40 is completely enclosed withinfront fabric 52 and rear fabric 54 which are merrow-stitched together along their edges. A separate fabric 56, is sewn on the front face of flatware-retaining partition 39 over front fabric 52, and extends upward for a major portion of the height of flatware-retaining partition 30. The bottom and side edges of separate fabric 56 are joined with, the merrowstitching of the bottom and side edges of front and rear fabrics 52 and 54, and the front edge of separate fabric 56 is merrow-stitched at 58. Separate fabric 56 is divided into a series of six flatware-retaining elements or compartments or pockets 59 by means of vertical stitches 60.

In the case of flatware-retaining partition 32, which is similar to partition 30 but somewhat larger, separator 41 is completely enclosed within front fabric 61 and rear fabric 63, which are marrow-stitched together along their edges. A separate fabric 65 is sewn on the front face of flatware-retaining partition 32 over front fabric 61 and extends upward for a large portion of the height of flatware-retaining partitions 32. The bottom and side edges of separate fabric 65 are joined with the merrowstitching of the bottom and side edges of front and rear fabrics 61 and 63, and the upper edge of separate fabric 65 is merrow-stitched at 67. Separate fabric 65 is divided into a series of six flatware-retaining elements or compartments or pockets 69, by means of vertical stitching 72.

in the case of flatware-retaining partition 34, which is similar to partition 32 but somewhat larger, separator 42 is completely enclosed within front fabric 71 and rear fabric '73, which are merrovwstitched together along their edges. Separate fabric 75 is sewn on the front face of flatware-retaining partition 34 over front fabric 71, and extends upward for a major portion of the height of flatware-retaining partition 34. The bottom and side edges of separate fabric '75 are joined with the merrowstitching of the bottom and side edges of front and rear fabrics 71 and 73, and the upper edge of separate fabric 75' is merrow-stitched at 7'7. Separate fabric 75 is divided into a series of six flatware-retaining elements or compartments or pockets "79 by means of vertical stitches 81.

in the case of flatware-retaining partition 36, which is similar to partition 34 but somewhat larger, separator 44 is compietely enclosed within front fabric 83 and rear 7 fabric 85, which are merrow-stitched together along their edges. A eparate fabric 87, is sewn on the front face of flatware-retaining partition 36 overfront fabric 33 and extends upward for a major portion of the height of flatware-retaining partition 36; The bottom and side edges of separate fabric 87 are joined with the merrowstitching of the bottom and side edges of front and rear fabrics 83 and 85, and the upper edge of separate fabric 87 is merrow-stitched at 93. Separate fabric 87 is divided into a series of six flatware-retaining elements or pockets 89 by means of vertical stitches 91.

In place of a separate fabric the pockets on the front face of each flatware-retaining partition can be fabricated by overlapping 'the front fabric and merrow-stitching it at the basal crease.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the flatware-retaining partitions 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 are of progressively increasing height from front to rear with progressively increasing flatware pieces being contained in each partition. Thus, flatware-retaining partition 28 is adapted to receive the smallest of the flatware, namely butter spreaders 80; flatware-retaining partition 30 is adapted to receive a larger size of flatware,'namely tea spoons 82; flatware-retaining partition 32 is adapted to receive a still larger size of flatware, namely salad forks 84; flatware-retaining partition 34 is adapted to receive a still larger size of flatware, namely cream soup spoons 86 and flatware-retaining partition 36 is adapted to receive the largest size flatware, namely knives 88. As seen in Figure 2, each of the flatware-retaining partitions has a labeling area at its upper portion bearing printed matter designating the type of flatware to be carried by the partition, which labeling area on each flatware-retaining partition isvisible when the case is open. 7

As seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, when each of partitions 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 arecarrying flatware and are positioned within the case 10 they substantially occupy the internal volume of case 10 and stand upright. As indicated heretofore, the clearance at their edges with side Walls 20 and 22 is relatively small so that rotational motion of the partitions within the case is prevented when the case is being moved. Moreover, any slight movement of the partitions and contact with each other'will not produce scatching or abrasion of the flatware since metal-to-metal contact is absent.

As heretofore indicated, the preferred flatware-retaining fabric or cloth for use on flatware-retaining partitions 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 is conventional silver cloth which comprises a tarnish-inhibiting fabric. However, in some constructions, such as those contemplating non tarnishing flatware like stainless steel, other types of fabric can be used.

Such silver cloth is conventionally prepared by immersing a relatively heavy and durable cloth such as flannel, in an aqueous solution containing a water solw ble salt of a heavy material such as lead or zinc which preferentially absorbs hydrogen sulphide frointhe atmosphere in respect to metallic silver, and subsequently drying the impregnated cloth. Thus, such cloth maybe prepared by impregnating flannel with a solution of lead acetate, and permitting the lead acetate to dry and be retained in the fibers of the flannel. The use of such cloth on flatware-retaining partition-s 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 serves to eliminate or substantially retard the tarnishing of silver flatware. This anti-tarnishing action is supplemented by surfacing the inner surface of the upper portion of rear wall 16 and cover 18 with tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth 78 and surfacing the inner surface of sidewalls 20 and 22 with respective tarnish-inhibiting silver cloths 90 and 92. Moreover, if desired the inner surface of front wall 14, and/ or the remaining inner surface of case 10 can likewise be surfaced with tarnishinhibiting silver cloth.

While the instant embodiment illustrates the use of six flatware-retaining elements or pockets, permitting sixplace settings to be retained in the case, it is, of course, to be understood that-a larger or smaller number of pockets can be providedso that a larger or smaller number of place settings can beretained in thez'case. Ti

greases In place of, or in conjunction with, the flatware-retain ing partitions shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 in which the flatware-retaining element comprises a pocket, the embodiment shown in Figures 6 through 9- canbe utilized. In this embodiment the flatware-retaining partition 136 comprises a separator or wall of, formretaining material 100 having a rear fabric or silver cloth 102 covering its rear surface. The front surface of flatwarei'etaining partition 136 is provided with a front fabric o'r silve'r cloth 104 which is slitted at 106. A flatwareiet'aining band 108 comprising a relatively thin strip of silver cloth having upper and lower merrowed edges is interwoven in and out of slits 106 as shown in Figures '6, 7 and 9.. Thus, the flatware-retaining band 108 is alternately positioned between front silver cloth 104 and formretaining separator 100, and in front of front silver cloth 104, as shown in Figure 9. The peripheral edges of. flatware-retaining band 104 are marrow-stitched in conjirnction; withthe edge merrow-stitching of front silver cloth 104 and rear silver cloth 102. Flatware, namely knives, 110 are retained between flatware-retaining band 108 and, the surface of front silver cloth 164. p

The present invention permits a plurality of placese-ttingsto be stored and encased in an attractive fashion with convenient and ready access to the flatware. Moreover, scratching and abrasion of the flatware is prevented notwithstanding the transporting or moving of the case since metal-to-metal contact is avoided. In addition, the flatware contents, in particular, silver flatware in the pre ferred embodiment employing silver cloth, are maintained in tarnish-free condition rendering their polishing to remove discoloration due to atmospheric oxidation unnecessary or infrequent. Furthermore, the individual flatware-retaining partitions can be removed from the case, permitting the removal of, the entire number of settings of a given flatware piece without. disturbing any of the other flatware pieces. p p

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having described myinvention, I claim;

1. A multi-compartrnented flatware case comprising a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material, a rear wall extending generally perpendicularly upward from said rectangular base, a front wall extending upward from said base, side walls extending upward from said generally rectangular base intermediate said front and rear walls a plurality of separately removable flatwareretaining partitions of progressively increasing height from front to rear positioned within said case, each flatware-retaining partition comprising a separator of formretaining material, a fabric covering on at least the front face of each separator, said fabriccovering forming relatively flexible flatware-retaining elements on each separator, each flatware-retaining partition having a width dimension somewhat less than the internal width of the case, the flatware-retaining partitions within said case when operatively positioned carrying flatware retained thereon being in a generally vertical position when the case is closed, a case-closing cover extending from the rear wall over the tops of said flatware-retaining partitions and engaging with the front wall of said case.

2. A multi-compartmented flatware case comprising a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material, a rear wall of form-retaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said rectangular base, a front wall of form-retaining material extending generally upward from said base, side walls extending generally upward from said generally rectangular base intermediate said front and rear walls, a plurality of separate individua'lly-removable flatware-retaining partitions of pro- 6 Y gressively increasing height from front to rear positioned within said case, .each flatware-retaining partition comprising a separator of form-retaining material, a fabric covering on at least the front face of each separator, said fabric covering forming relatively flexible flatware-retaining elements on each separator, each fiatwareeretaining partition having a width dimension somewhat less than the internal width of the case, the number of flatware-retaining partitions within said case being such that when said partitions, are operatively positioned within said case with flatware retained thereon said partitions ar in a generally vertical position when the case is closed, a case-closing cover extending frornthe rear wallover the tops of said flatware-retaining partitions and engaging with the front wall of said case.

3. A multi-compartmented flatware case comprising a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material, a relatively wide rear wall extending generally perpendicularly upward from said rectangular base, a relatively wide front wall extending upward from said base, said front wall being substantially lower than said rear wall, relatively narrow side walls extending upward from said generally rectangular base intermediate said front and rear walls, a plurality of separate individually removable flatwarerretaining partitionsof progressively increasing height from front to rear positioned within. said case, each flatware retaining partition comprising a separator of form-retaining material, a fabric covering on at least the front face of each separator, said fabric covering forming relatively flexible flatware-retaining, elements on each separator, each flatware-retaining partition having a width dimension somewhat lessv than the internal width of said case, the flatware-retaining partitions within said case when operatively positioned carrying flatware retained thereon being in a generally vertical position when the case is closed, a case-closing cover extending from the rear wall over the tops of said flatware-retaining partitions and engaging with the front wall of said case.

4. A multi-compartmented flatware case comprising a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material, a rear wall of form-retaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said rectangular base, a front wall of form-retaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said base, side walls extending upward, from said generally rectangular base intermediate said front and, rear walls, a plurality of separate individually-removable flatware-retaining partitions ofprogressively increasing height from front to rear positioned within said case, each flatware-retaining partition comprising a separator of form-retaining material, a tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth covering on at least the front face of each separator, said tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth covering forming a like number of relatively flexible flatware-retaining elements on each separator, tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth on the inner surface of said case, each flatware-retaining partition having a wid h dimension somewhat less than the internal width of un ase, the number of flatware-retaining partitions within said case being such that when said partitions are operatively positioned within said case with flatware retained thereon said; partitions are. in a generally vertical position when the case closed, a case-closing cover extending from the rear wall over the tops of said flatware-retaining partitions and engaging with the front wall of said case.

5. A multi-compartmented flatware case comprising a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material, a rear wall of form-retaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said rectangular base, a front wall of form-retaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said base, side walls extending upward from said generally rectangular base intermediate said front and rear walls, a plurality of separate individually-removable flatware-retaining partitions of progressively increasing height from front to rear positioned within said case, each flatware-retaining partition comprising a separator of form-retaining mate rial, a tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth covering on at least the front face of each separator, said tarnish-inhibiting silver'cloth covering forming a like number of relatively flexible flatware-retainingelements on each separator, tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth son the inner surface of said side walls, each flatware-retaining partition having a Width dimension somewhat less than the internal Width of the case, the number of flatware-retaining partitions within said case being such that when said partitions are operatively positioned within said case with flatware retained thereon said partitions are in a generally vertical position when the case is closed, a case-closing cover extending from the rear wall over the tops of said flatware-retaining partitions and engaging with the front wall of said case.

6. A multi-compartmented flatware case comprising a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material, a

relatively wide rear wall of form-retaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said rectangular base, a relatively Wide front wall of formretaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said base, said front wall being substantially lower than said rear wall, relatively narrow side walls extending upward from said generally rectangular base intermediate said front and rear walls, a plurality of separate individually removable flatware-retaining partitions of progressively increasing height from front to rear positioned within said case, each flatwareretainiug partition comprising a separator of form-retaining material, a tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth covering on at least the front face of each separator, said tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth covering forming a like number of relatively flexible flatware-retaining elements comprising silver cloth pockets on the forward face of each separator, the

'top of each of said pockets terminating below the top of its separator, each flatware-retaining partition having a width dimension somewhat less than the internal width of said case, a labeling area on the upper portion of each flatware-retaining partition bearing printed matter indicative of the flatware to be retained on said partition, the respective heights of the flatware-retaining partitions within said case being such that when said'partitions are operatively positioned in progressively increasing size within said case the labeling area on each partition is visible when the case is open, a case-closing cover extending from the rear wall over the tops of said flatware-retaining partitions and engaging with the front wall of said case.

7. A multi-compartmented flatware case comprising a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material, a relatively wide rear wall of form-retaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said rectangular base, a relatively wide front ,wall of formretaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from said base, said front wall being substantially lower than said rear wall, relatively narrow side walls extending upward from said generally rectangular base intermediate said front and rear walls, a plurality of separate individually removable flatware-retaining partitions of progressively increasing height from front to rear positioned within said case, each flatware-retainsion somewhat less than the internal width of said case,

. a labeling area on the upper portion of each flatwareretaining partition'bearing printed matter indicative of the flatware to be retained on said partition, the respec-' tive heights of the flatware-retaining partitions within said case being such that when said partitions are operatively positioned in progressively increasing size within said case the labeling area on each partition is visible when the case is open, a case-closing cover extending from the rear wall over the tops of said flatware-retaining partitions and engaging with the front wall of said case.

8. A multi-compartmented flatware case comprising a generally rectangular base of form-retaining material,

a relatively wide rear wall of form-retaining material g extending generally perpendicularly upward from said rectangular base, a relatively wide front wall of form retaining material extending generally perpendicularly upward from'said base, said front wall being substantially lower than said rear wall, relatively narrow side walls extending upward from said generally rectangular base intermediate said front and rear walls, a plurality of separate individually removable flatware-retaining partitions of progressively increasing height from front to rear positioned within said case, each flatware-retaining parti-' tion comprising a separator of form-retaining material, a tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth covering on at least the front face of each separator, said tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth covering forming a like number of relatively flexible flatware-retaining elements comprising an interwoven tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth band on the forward face of each separator, tarnish-inhibiting silver cloth on the inner'surface of said sidewalls, the'top of each of said bands terminating below the top of its separator, each flatware-retaining partition having a width dimension somewhat less than the internal width of said case, a labeling area on the upper portion of each flatwareretaining partition bearing printed matter indicative of the flatware to be retained on said partition, the respective heights of the flatware-retaining partitions within said case being such that when said partitions are operatively positioned in progressively increasing size within said case the labeling area on each partition is visible when the case is open, a case-closing coverextending from the rear Wall over the tops of said flatware-retaining partitions and engaging with the front wall of said case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Reimer Sept. 24, 1929 1,729,126 1,747,010 Keller Feb; 11, 1930 1,791,594 Herring Feb. 10, 1931 1,991,306 Woolsey Feb. 12,-1935 2,403,530 Holtzman Sept. 30, 1944 2,729,258 Pentland et a]. Jan. 3, 1956 

